A
man driving the back roads near Wauconda in February saw a dog
lying in the snow. Apparently dumped there, she was too weak
to stand. The good Samaritan loaded the golden retriever into
his car, then contacted Save-A-Pet, which took her in.

Through her microchip, the dog’s vet was located, and it was
discovered that her name was Mickey and that she was almost 15
years old. Her owners couldn’t be traced, so Save-A-Pet
contacted As Good as Gold, Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern
Illinois, which took her in its care last month.

Mickey had serious problems; her front legs had atrophied and
she couldn’t stand. (The area where she was dumped was rife
with coyotes, and had she not been rescued she most likely
wouldn’t have survived the night.) As Good as Gold got her
to TOPS Veterinary
Rehab in Grayslake, where she is being treated.

“They’ve used acupuncture and acupressure, high-end rehab
to get her up and moving,” said As Good as Gold’s Colleen
O’Brien.

Mickey is happy and pain-free, O’Brien said, and after two
weeks of hard-core rehab she was able to stand again. She
still has a long way to go, but she is making progress – and
friends.

“She loves everybody,” O’Brien said. “You always hear
that. These dogs who have been through heck and back end up
loving everyone they meet.”

It was hoped that Mickey could attend an As Good as Gold
fundraiser Saturday at Brookfield Zoo, but she’s probably
not going to be up to it. Even without Mickey, though, it
should be a good night. Go to asgoodasgold.org for more information.